Personal: Behold the Bump

I have literally sat down to blog this exciting news for a few weeks now. Initially I had to wait until I had nicer things to say (don't judge just yet...I will explain). My husband and I are about to become a family of three! Ok well 5 if you count the furry kids! It doesn't seem real most days. I honestly just feel like I have a chronic stomach bug living inside of me not a little baby. Sometimes I have to remind myself that hugging the toilet bowl is a good thing:). We are overwhelmed at this precious gift...that God would allow us to grow and shape a child of His...it is amazing. We of course are reading lots of books and constantly talking about things like "how will we know how to discipline?" or "do babies sleep on their backs or stomachs?"....so much we need to know!!! Thank God babies grow in stages and we can figure it out as we go! We know that the joys ahead will outweigh any of the not so pleasant pains we may feel now. Just being honest- this has been hard. Shooting weddings nauseous....not high on the fun chart.  Trying to sit and edit and respond to emails in between trips to the toilet to get rid of whatever little food I had previously kept down...also hard. It's just flat out been tough. And attempts at comfort (while SO appreciated) like "oh it means your hormones are high and the baby is healthy" has in the end not really helped ease my personal pity party! We have "time to put on your big girl pants" talks daily in my house (no don't worry it is me saying that not my hubs....he just hugs me and says it will be worth it). I don't mean to paint a less than rosy picture of pregnancy- we'll just say that first trimester is maybe not always the prettiest! Let's just say your body does things you didn't know it was capable of...makes noises it didn't make before...and it doesn't care if you are in public. Oh joy! I hope you can laugh with me...I promise I am not a miserable pregnant woman! It is starting to get a little easier. We are approaching 16 weeks now, and the nausea is letting up. I am starting to see a bump for a belly instead of just feeling like I look like I ate 50 twinkies last month. All good things. As my good friend said to me today "What good things in our life come without some pain?". None. We will take the pain.  We know the blessing and joy of shaping a child's heart is worth it. If you think of us please pray for our journey ahead as we await baby Foushee's arrival in April!

And because every post should have pictures...here is the "bump progress" (courtesy of my sweet hubs and brother in-law who are ninjas behind the lens ;) )

I Do: Philip & Mary Ann. Columbia, SC Wedding Photography

What a beautiful wedding I have to share with you today! Philip and Mary Ann's wedding was magical. Ironic given that just days before their wedding we had developed a "hurricane contingency plan" complete with a total washout of a weather forecast! God had bigger plans for the day than we did. The weather was perfect. The bride and groom perfectly content and laid back...their excitement was contagious. Some of my favorite photos actually come at the end of the day. You see Philip's Mom had let me in on the secret that no one knew so that we could be there to capture the moments as they unfolded. The story starts years ago when Philip and Mary Ann were still dating, Mary Ann had shared how her childhood dream was that her wedding day would end with fireworks. Mrs. Milne just tucked that info away for years and planned a surprise fireworks show as these two exited their reception. It was awesome. Everyone was so surprised, especially Philip and Mary Ann. Thank you both for trusting me with your memories. A very special thanks to the talented Hunter McRae for joining me and creating so many beautiful images! Enjoy the sneak peek! 

I Do: Matt & Lauren. Charleston, SC Wedding Photography

I have known Lauren through different friends for years now. She was actually a guest at my wedding years ago! A bridal fair in downtown Charleston last year is what put us back into each others lives. I am so glad it did. It has been such a joy working with Matt and Lauren. I love the opportunity to witness two lives that so clearly compliment one another and the deep appreciation they have for one another because of it. Lauren and Matt are easy going thoughtful people. They were introduced to one another through mutual friends and it was a perfect match! They planned a downtown wedding with a ceremony at St. Philip's Church with a reception within walking distance over at The Old Exchange Building. So many beautiful moments on an amazingly cool (for August!) day! Enjoy the sneak peek at a few of my favorites!  

I Do: Ward and Cameron, Charleston SC Wedding Photography

An elegant Souther soiree to share with you today. Ward and Cameron(ok really Cameron and her mom:)) planned a beautiful wedding at the Yacht Club in downtown Charleston complete with silver candelabras, soft blue accents, and even South Carolina hand towels for each of their guests to take home as gifts! The soft blues and greens were gorgeous. Cameron's dress was breathtaking. The detail in the fabric was so interesting- I have honestly not seen another dress like it. Ward and Cameron planned a "first look" in one of the tiny Charleston alleyways as they really wanted to get in as many of their photos before so as to spend as much time as possible at their reception. After their ceremony at St. Luke's, we still stole away for a few out by the water at the Yacht Club....perfectly fitting as Ward is an officer in the Navy and these two love the water.  It was a wonderful laid back day filled with such supportive family and friends. The reception probably could have gone on for hours longer! Cameron chose a band from Alabama that had entertained at some of her college sorority functions and they were amazing. I think you will be able to tell....people had a good 'ole time. Enjoy the sneak peek!